Bixby BBQ Event Expands Music Venue
By DANIEL C. CAMERON
Assistant Publisher
SWEET SOUNDS: The Rotary Club of Bixby hosted the 2009 Bixby BBQ ‘n Music Festival. The festival was a great success with expanded styles of music, food, and family events. Above, from left are Bixby Roarians and festival volunteers Gretchen Thompson, Rolf Hufnagel, Trena Thomas, Mark Musser and Mike Gately.
DANIEL C. CAMERON for GTR Newspapers
The 2009 Bixby BBQ ‘n Music Festival, hosted by the Rotary Club of Bixby was held early in May at Washington Irving Memorial Park. This was the festival’s eighth year. However, there was a twist to this year’s lineup.
Traditionally, the festival has been a BBQ and blues festival. This year, the organizers decided to expand the type of music in the lineup to entice a more family-rich atmosphere. So they changed the name from the Bixby BB & Blues Festival to the Bixby BBQ ‘n Music Festival, expanded the music breadth, the kids’ zone and the amount of vendors.
The plan worked. A more family- oriented crowd attended this year.
The festival has grown every year. This year is no exception, even with rainy weather. The festival sold over 1,700 “Taster Kits,” more than ever. Taster Kits are samplings of BBQ from different contestants in the BBQ contest.
The BBQ contest is one of the largest competitions in the state of Oklahoma. The Kansas City BBQ Society sanctions it, which means, if a contestant wins here, they are eligible for the Kansas City BBQ Society National Championships. Only sanctioned competitions are eligible for the KC Nationals.
The 2009 Bixby BBQ ‘n Music Grand Champion is Butcher BBQ, owned by David Bouska from Chandler, Okla.
Approximately 400 volunteers are involved in the planning and execution of the event.
The Rotary Club of Bixby is comprised of about 90 members. They meet weekly for lunch at Michael V’s Restaurant. For more information about Bixby Rotary, please visit Bixby Rotary.
Updated 05-18-2009
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